News in Brief
Penn State Intercom......January 16, 2003

Library computers require ID

Beginning this month, students, faculty and staff will need to enter their Penn State password and ID to use most of the computers in the University Libraries.

This will provide secure access to The CAT, the Libraries' online catalog of more than 4.6 million volumes; more than 350 databases; numerous other digital resources; and the Web. Adoption of this new authentication process will bring the Libraries into compliance with University computer security policies and maintain the same level of confidentiality users have in all University computing facilities.

Special Express LIAS workstations in all University Libraries will not require authentication and will be available for limited use by individuals who do not have Access Accounts, such as community patrons and library visitors. The Express LIAS workstations will provide access to The CAT, the online catalog; online databases licensed by the University Libraries; and a limited selection of Web sites.

For information, call (814) 865-0401.

CFW meetings

The Commission for Women will meet this semester from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in 404 Old Main on the University Park campus on Jan. 22, Feb. 18, May 19 and June 17. The commission will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. March 24 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The April 15 meeting will be held at Penn State Great Valley.

Meetings are open to all University faculty, staff and students. The commission is an advisory group to President Graham B. Spanier about issues of concern for the women faculty, staff and students of Penn State. Any questions should be directed to the commission's office at (814) 863-8493.

CLGBTE meetings

The Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity will hold its full member meetings on the University Park campus this semester from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 28 in 404 Old Main; from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 26 in 105A White Building; from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 19 at a location to be announced; from 1 to 3 p.m. April 25 in 404 Old Main; from 2 to 4 p.m. May 27 in 404 Old Main; and from 10 a.m. to noon June 25 in 404 Old Main.

Meetings are open to all University faculty, staff and students. The commission is an advisory group to President Graham B. Spanier about issues of interest and concern to members of the University's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Any questions should be directed to the commission's office at (814) 863-7696.

African-American Read-In events

Two African-American Read-in events will be held on the University Park campus in February.

Poet Amy Freeman will be the guest author at Community Day from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 2, in 100 Thomas Building. The event will include readings by students, youth and educators, as well as cultural performances.

Arthur Flowers will be the guest author for Schools' Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in Foster Auditorium of Pattee Library. His presentation will be followed by an open mike.

Conflict of interest reminder

Employees of the University are reminded that they should exercise the utmost good faith in all transactions that touch upon their duties to the University and its property. In their dealings with and on behalf of the University, employees will be held to a strict rule of honest and fair dealings between themselves and the University.

Employees should not use their positions, or knowledge gained in those positions, in a way that a conflict of interest might arise between the interest of the University and that of the individual. Emp loyees should disclose to the administrative head of the college or other unit in which they are employed, or other appropriate superior officer, any potential conflict of interest of which they are aware before a contract or transaction is consummated.

Senate agenda distribution

In order to reach a larger University population, standardize procedures and reduce costs, the University Faculty Senate office is moving to a Web-based distribution of the Senate agenda. Beginning this month, the Senate office will limit the distribution of printed agendas to elected senators including faculty, student, appointed and ex-officio Senators. The University Libraries will continue to receive paper copies of the agenda for the University Archives.

All others who receive the Senate agenda may use the University Faculty Senate Web site at http://www.psu.edu/ufs/ to access the agenda. The Senate agenda will be posted one week before each Senate meeting. Senate meeting minutes (The Senate Record) also are available on the Senate Web site approximately three weeks following the Senate meeting.

The Senate Curriculum Report (blue sheets) has been distributed via the Web since 1998, and an electronic distribution list has been maintained for notification of the publication. This notification list will no longer be used. Notification of all Senate publications will be included in the Senate newsletter.

For more information, contact Susan Youtz at (814) 863-0221 or scy1@psu.edu.

Center changes name

The name of the Center for Quality and Planning has been changed to the Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment to better reflect its mission and the office's responsibility for the assessment of institutional effectiveness.

The office will continue to support improvement, planning and assessment initiatives at the unit and institutional level and promote the effective and efficient use of resources to maintain and improve institutional quality.

The new Web address for the office is http://www.psu.edu/president/pia. The phone number will remain the same, (814) 863-8721.

Youth fair

A youth fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel ballroom. The fair is designed for parents who want to learn more about summer youth activities for their children, and will give parents an opportunity to meet with organizers and learn more about programs offered in the area. Providers of youth programs from Penn State, the Centre Region and around the area may participate.

For more information on attending the fair or participating in the event, call Judy Hall or Pam Logan at
(814) 863-5100 or check the Web at http://www.PennStateYouth.org.

Carpool

An employee is looking to join or start a carpool from Kylertown to University Park. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, e-mail cac36@psu.edu.

Purchasing Card training online

Purchasing Services has replaced its required face-to-face Penn State Purchasing Card training program with a new online system.

The Web-based program provides a more convenient and efficient tutorial for employees approved to obtain a purchasing card. The program also serves as a reference for current cardholders, reconcilers and financial officers.

Employees who are approved to receive a purchasing card (or those already possessing one) may access the purchasing card site at http://www.pcardtraining.psu.edu. Instead of physically attending a training session at the Procurement Services Building, employees applying for a card can review the tutorial at their own pace. Once they understand the purchasing card program, employees must pass a randomly selected 20-question quiz to receive a purchasing card.

The online training program was developed as a joint effort between Purchasing Services and the Corporate Controller's Office. Auxiliary and Business Services Information Systems and the staff of Education Technology Services also provided design and technical support.

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